Responsibilities to Dogs and People

Even though most dogs have one owner, or live with just one family, we all can work together to keep dogs safe and healthy. It's very important to clean up after your dog when they go to the bathroom outside. In addition to making a big mess if you step in it, dog poop can also produce germs that can make people and dogs sick. It's also important to make sure your dog has all his/her vaccinations; these medicines can keep dogs from catching serious illnesses that can make them very sick and can be spread to other dogs. Just like you, dogs need their check-ups and to be up-to-date on all their shots. Knowing and obeying the pet laws in your town is another way to keep our dogs safe and healthy. Some towns have rules/laws about where and when dogs are allowed outside without a leash. Some parks only allow dogs on a leash, while others have special areas in the park where dogs do not have to be on a leash. And, some parks only allow dogs during certain months of the year, or during certain hours of the day.

Why do you think some towns have rules/laws about where and when dogs are allowed outside without a leash?

Why do you think some parks only allow dogs during certain times of the day or year?

What are the rules/laws about dogs in your town?

Many towns require that all dogs be registered. This can also be very helpful if a dog gets lost; the registration tag will give important information on where the dog is from and who owns it.

Being aware of how your dog acts around other people and animals will also help ensure that all people and animals stay safe; only bring your dog to a public park if you know that you can control his/her behavior. Spaying and neutering your pet is another way to work together to make sure all animals stay safe and healthy. Approximately 6-8 million homeless animals are placed in animal shelters every year throughout the United States, but unfortunately there are not enough permanent homes for all these animals. Spaying and/or neutering your pet will help to reduce the number of puppies and kittens born without permanent homes.

Objective:

Children will consider the broader impact of being a dog owner; this will further develop children's capacity for empathy and sense of social and civic responsibility.

The Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum is an innovative PreK-12 curriculum that developscalm, confident, caring kids and creates a more humane future for all throughsocial and emotional learning. An initiative of North Shore Animal League America’sprogram development branch, The Pet Savers Foundation™, Inc., the Curriculumwas developed by Yale University's School of the 21st Century.